2026 Center Ethan Taylor Talks UVa Offer, Busy Summer

Coming off a strong spring and summer with Mokan Elite on the Nike EYBL circuit, 2026 big man Ethan Taylor has started to see his recruitment take off. One of his newest high-major offers comes from Virginia.

“It was a good offer to get,” Taylor told CavsCorner. “Virginia just really started showing interest in me. Ryan Odom and one of their assistants got on the phone with me, and Coach Odom offered me during the phone call. It was a pretty cool experience.”

The message from Virginia’s staff has centered around long-term development, something Taylor values in a program.

“Their message has really been about development. They said they could really develop me well at Virginia, and that is the type of thing I really like to hear and appreciate.”

Taylor admitted he’s still getting familiar with the new coaching staff in Charlottesville but is eager to learn more.

“I don’t know too much about the new staff, so I have to do some research. I know they are going to keep talking to me and recruiting me, so I am looking forward to learning more about the program and the staff.”

While the fit at UVA is still taking shape, Taylor said the staff sees him making an impact early.

“We haven’t talked too much yet about how I’d fit into their system,” he said. “But they’ve mentioned that I could help them right away. Again, the focus on development has been huge, because I want to go somewhere that helps me constantly improve and expand my game.”

Taylor averaged 9.4 points and 8.8 rebounds per game during the EYBL season, playing a key role in Mokan Elite’s success and raising his national profile in the process.

“It has been a pretty big summer for me. I have gotten a lot better and overall have just had a lot of growth as a player. A lot of good things have happened throughout my play.”

That growth has translated into attention from several high-major programs. In addition to Virginia, Taylor is hearing from schools like Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Indiana, Missouri, Vanderbilt, and Michigan State.

“The recruitment process has been good so far,” he said. “It hasn’t been too hectic, and I think I’ve handled it well. I’ve only taken one unofficial visit, to Kansas State. I don’t have any other visits set yet, but I’m working on getting some scheduled with the other schools.”

When it comes to making a decision, Taylor is weighing multiple factors.

“Development is huge for me, but I also want to go somewhere I’m used the right way so I can reach my full potential,” he said. “I want to feel welcome on and off the court. The coach’s history and staff are important too. I’m looking for a place with a strong culture, where the coaches push me every day. I also want to play in a system that runs something similar to an NBA-style offense.”

As for his timeline, Taylor doesn’t plan to drag things out.

“I’d say the timeline for a commitment would be sometime in November,” he said.